SHAH ALAM: The salaries of the Mentri Besar, executive councillors, Speaker, deputy Speaker and assemblymen of Selangor will be increased by up to nearly 400% next year.
Increases ranging from 87% to 373% were passed at the state legislative assembly following approval by the executive council on Nov 22.
Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim told the house that the increases were timely as the last salary hike was in 2005.
“The decision to raise the salaries is due to the burden of increased duties and responsibilities,” Khalid told the house yesterday.
He added that the efficiency of the state’s executive and legislature as well as Selangor’s healthy coffers was also a factor for the raise.
“And, of course, it is also because of the continued requests made by the assemblymen,” Khalid said.
Under the new salary structure, the pay of assemblymen will be upped 87% from RM6,000 to RM11,250 a month, the Speaker from RM6,109.29 to RM22,500 (268%), and the deputy Speaker from RM3,327.50 to RM15,750 (373%).
The salary of exco members will go up 231% from RM6,109.29 to RM20,250 while the Mentri Besar will have a pay rise of 106.4% from RM14,175 to RM29,250.
The Speaker is Hannah Yeoh while her deputy is Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Opposition leader Datuk Sham-sudin Lias welcomed the increases.
“The increases are timely and in tandem with the high cost of living. They will also allow us assemblymen to intensify our services to our constituents,” he said, adding that the remuneration for assemblymen had not increased for a long time.
Khalid also announced an additional half-month bonus for the Selangor government’s 15,643 employees, which will be paid in mid-January in an exercise costing the state RM14.821mil.
Khalid said the bonus payment was made due to Selangor’s healthy coffers as well as a mark of appreciation to the employees.
“I thank and congratulate the employees who work very hard for Selangor,” Khalid said, adding that the state’s earnings to date was RM1.89bil, which was 16% higher than the projected RM1.63 bil.
The state had also paid one month’s bonus to all its employees during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Shamsudin said the bonus was justified.
“The bonus is based on an incentive system and we can see an increase in the productivity in all the departments here.
“The state’s employees deserve the hike for their hardwork,” added Shamsudin.
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The Star
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